Police responded Wednesday morning to a call from someone claiming to be outside Portage High School with a rifle and handgun, Portage Police said.
“We do not believe the individual was actually in the area, based on what we’ve learned so far,” Police Chief Michael Candiano said. “This was treated as if it was the real deal with a massive collective police response and a thorough clearing of the building and surrounding area.”
Candiano said police don’t have a suspect yet in the active investigation.
Portage Township Schools Communications Director Melissa Deavers said the school was put in lockdown, with students locked in their classrooms and out of sight while police were investigating the threat.
Once police found there was no active threat, the school moved to secure status with all exterior doors locked, as they are every day, Deavers said.
Police said they found out about the threat through a 911 call at 11:10 a.m. to Porter County Central Communications. The caller claimed to be outside the school and intended to do a school shooting.
Captain Rob Maynard said the caller first threatened a shootout with law enforcement, then changed his mind and said he was going in before ending the call.
Investigators plan to follow up with any and all available leads to identify the caller, police said. Anyone with information can call police at (219) 762-3122.
“Our students did a great job; staff did a great job. We appreciate the work of our local law enforcement agencies,” Deavers said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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